— Why are you talking to me like that, Tanya? — Galina Yevgenyevna asked sharply, though her voice betrayed her agitation. — Mom, how do you think I should talk? I’m not living at a resort here, I’m working day and night to achieve something. And where have you all been all these years? — … Read more
— Grisha, I can’t understand why Mashka is even in charge of that dacha?» Lyudmila shouted at her husband. «You’re just as much an heir as she is! After all, your late grandmother was also your relative! So what? We renovated the dacha at our own expense. Why won’t they let us in?!» Maria returned … Read more
Little Igor, sweetheart, darling!” a young woman exclaimed as she embraced him, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Mom’s in trouble.” “Again,” Igor thought to himself, “I’m so sick of this,” he muttered. But, turning to his wife with merely a smile, he asked: “What is it this time?” “Mom needs to undergo rehabilitation. She … Read more
—And have you been with someone else for a long time?” Natasha asked, holding back tears. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing going on. You’ve misunderstood everything. You’ve drawn the wrong conclusions! There’s nothing, sweetheart!” Vadim mumbled, sounding frightened. And he really was scared. Ahead of him loomed the prospect of uncomfortable changes. It was one thing to … Read more
Lera scanned the kitchen with her eyes, pausing on the photograph attached to the fridge with a magnet. The picture was from last summer during her vacation, her smile before David came into her life. The morning sun was peeking through the blinds. The kitchen was her pride. Small, but carefully designed, with a functional … Read more
You will become the brightest star, the most talented of all. They will surely notice you, and your name will appear on all the posters.» Sophia cried, burying her face in the blanket that covered her father. His hand, weak but still warm, slid through her hair. «Don’t cry, my girl, please. You can’t fool … Read more
Tatiana had always been known for her punctuality. In particular, she could not allow herself to be late for her mother-in-law’s family celebration, especially on the day when Galina Petrovna, her husband Sergey’s mother, was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. Galina Petrovna was a woman of iron principles who considered punctuality a sign of good upbringing. … Read more
My Mother-in-Law’s Words My mother-in-law uttered those words between the “for the birthday girl” toast and the “for mutual support” toast, loudly and with a smile, as if she were talking about the weather. I froze, glass in hand. The guests were laughing; some were reaching to refill their glasses, others were serving themselves “Olivier” … Read more
Listen… I need money,» Lena heard her brother’s slurred voice again on the phone. Oleg had been calling her almost every week with the same request – for money. He said he was starving, but she knew exactly where the money would really go. «I can’t help you right now. There’s still a few days … Read more
She felt that she had become a burden to everyone, including her son, grandson, and granddaughter. She knew that all her subordinates in her vast office referred to her as «the old woman.» She involuntarily walked over to the mirror: «Am I really that old? Seventy, but I look fantastic,» she twirled around, examining herself … Read more